Both of the fighters appeared back into the forest, both Jackson and Mortel on the ground. Mortel was more a bunch of spread out bones while Jackson had multiple parts on his body where blood was leaking out as he didn’t seem to want to move anymore.

Emma wanted to help and ran to him. As she wasn’t used to being around centaurs, she would trip over his legs, falling onto the ground.

While she was struggling with helping, the son of Mortel didn’t wait a second and ran off. His men followed after him but slower. The great armor that they wore being strong but also removing their ability of being fast.

In the meantime, the minotaur had come closer and knelt down, softly touching Jackson, feeling over both his horse chest and human chest. He looked up at the centaur that had been on guard with him before he changed. “Get the healer. He has multiple broken ribs.”

Even though a lot of royal fighting had been explained, she was still confused. “I thought pan healed the victor?”

The son of Tyron came forwards, looking at Jackson before looking up at Lilly. “Not always. If Pan deems the win not worthy or of he just doesn’t want to, he doesn’t heal the victor. Anyway… with dear ‘ol dad gone, I’m the king now.”

That moment, the centaur got back with a satyr in pursuit. He knelt down next to Jackson, starting to feel for himself even though the minotaur started to tell him what was wrong.

With Jackson being cared for and with the immediate danger being gone, the urgency of her original arrival came back as well. The idea of Lilly being dead made her start to cry again. “My sister… she was under attack from the skeletons.”

The new king understood what she was trying to say. He tapped on the shoulder of the minotaur, getting his attention instantly. “Go to the kings tree. Gather a group of centaurs and try to help her sister.”

The minotaur nodded, getting up and grabbing Emma, putting her on his shoulder. At first it felt weird sitting on his shoulder, that’s when she realized he was faster than a horse, speeding away so he can do what was told to do, save her sister.

Lucas slowly opened his eyes. They continued to roll back as he tried to get his vison under control. It took a short while but eventually he could see, seeing an old roof above his head. It was made of wood and dried grass. As he said up, he saw that it was a rather small house with animal pelts hanging from the roof. In the middle of the room was a table with two chairs. To the left of the table was a closet which was filled with bottles. To the left of the closet was a window with underneath a barrel with who knows what, having a dresser next to it. To the right of the table was the front door. As he continued to look around, he found something to pay a bit more attention to. Whatever it was, it didn’t fit, looking like a big red cylinder with a door in it, able to fit around three people when they tried.

As he sat up and reached out to touch it, he though to have heard about this thing before but never seen it. A loud bark caused him to jump a but, closing his eyes and putting his hand on his chest. “Damn…”

The bark had come from outside right in front of the door, hearing someone standing there. Since he still didn’t know what exactly had happened or where he was, he would swing his legs off the bed, ready to run or fight if needed.

As the door opened, the big guy that had saved him walked in. He quickly saw that Zoi was awake and started to laugh. “Zoi! You up!” He got in, closing the door and holding a broom. He still had his animal Jacket on and had his army boots on, rocking a big brown beard. How you!?”

Zoi gave him a smile, slowly standing up and rubbing his throat. It still hurt from the choking but he was happy to be alive. “Hey Gurgen. How are you doing?”

“Gurgen well, Gurgen save Zoi. Why girl choke Zoi?”

Zoi looked down and rubbed his throat once more. “Yeah well… Her father got killed causing them to be a little upset. Also, these days I got by the name of Lucas, not Zoi.”

“Why Zoi Lucas? What problem with Zoi?”

“Zoi is an old name. One that can perhaps lead to me if he hasn’t already found me. I don’t know how all seeing my god is in this universe if he even can seen me. It’s just a way to tell myself that I’m free.”

His explanation was stopped as another bark sounded through the area, being much closer then before. “What?”

Gurgen didn’t really seem to mind it, also not being surprised that it came from right in front of him. He would walk to the door and put down the broom, taking off his jacket and hanging it over the broom. It was a very unstable construction but it was standing.

Lucas sat down on the chair, looking up at him. “What was that sound? Since when do you have a dog?”

“Dog? No dog? Why you think dog?”

It was obvious that he wasn’t going to get a straight answer out of Gurgen so he would shake off that. “Okay then… how about that red box over there. Is that the machine I was told about?”

“Red box yes. Got me here.” Gurgen sat down at the table as well, grabbing a bottle that was on his table. When he saw that it was empty, he would put it back down.

“What was the last thing that you remember before getting here? You never know with you, always appearing out of nowhere, not always having your memory straight so tell me.”

“Hmm… Gurgen was in front of house, gate ripping out, saving group of children, then boy with machine appearing telling Gurgen he look for Gurgen. Gurgen go in machine and push button, then Gurgen appear here.”

Lucas gave him a short nod, not having been a part of that. He was taken away from their world pretty soon and kinda missed it. This world here was a bit too violent for him.

As he was lost in his thoughts, an egg would suddenly fall out of his beard onto the table. Before it could roll off, he would grab it, putting it on the opening of the bottle so it stayed in one place. It all happened so casual that Lucas was confused.

“What… What just happened” He pointed at the egg, looking at Gurgen as if he was going insane.

“There problem?”

“The egg, where did the egg come from?”

Gurgen smiled as he would put his hand in his beard, grabbing something and taking out a fully grown chicken. “This Idi. Idi and Gurgen friend.” He put the chicken down onto the table, turning to look at Lucas as it suddenly barked. It turned around before jumping back into the beard. “She like you.”

The mystery of where the barking came from was solved, why she barked was still a question. Not a question for now though as he would look at the door and then back at Gurgen. “We… We need to go back to those girls. I know they tried to kill him but I need to help them.”

That idea was quicky cut short as he would slam his hand on the table. “No help.” He once more put two arrows on the table which Zoi immediately recognized. Gurgen got up and walked to a barrel that was next to his closet, grabbing a bottle that was standing on it. This bottle wasn’t empty and he took a big swig, turning back to face Lucas. “Why Zoi help anyway.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Lucas couldn’t really answer that question, scratching his head. “Morals I guess.”

As if it was planned, a scream sounded through the walls of the cabin, being not too loud as they were a fair bit away from the road. It sounded like Emma or Lilly screaming for their lives. “That’s them!” He ran to the door, throwing the door open before looking around, not knowing where to go.

Gurgen grunted, getting up and following Lucas. On his way out, he grabbed the broom and Jacket, putting on the jacket as he saw Lucas not being able to figure out were to go. The tick bushes covering this land covered all sides, letting nothing be seen. Gurgen didn’t hesitate though, going to the right and through the bushes. Lucas followed him, a bit scared of what he might find. It took them a bit as they got slowed down by the amount of bushes that they had to go through but they were fortunately close to the road.

As they bursted through the bushes, it got obvious very quick about what was happening. On the road was a group of skeletons, surrounding a green bubble with in it a satyr, centaur and Lilly. Lilly screamed once more, yelling for someone to help them.

Lucas didn’t have any weapons on him anymore while Gurgen only had his broom. That didn’t seem to satisfy him though, putting down the broom and grabbing two very big sticks, looking very heavy as they were as thick as his head and as long as the broom. “Zoi take stick. We fight of bones.” He gave one of the stick to Zoi, keeping the bigger of the two for himself.

As Lucas grabbed the stick, he would be pulled down with it to the ground, letting it go before his fingers would be crushed.

“Maybe Zoi take broom.”

Opting for the broom as well, he picked it up before scanning over the battlefield. The vines summoned by Zoala were still there together with the ice although two skeletons seemed to be hacking into it, trying to get their friends out. Around eight others were still around the orb, waiting for it to go away.

As Gurgen started to charge, Lucas would follow right behind him, using the big man as a shield. It didn’t take long for the skeletons to notice them running up towards the road. As all the skeletons gathered and started to attack, one stayed behind in order to guard the bubble.

Before Gurgen and Lucas could reach the group of skeletons, arrows would be fired off towards them. Three arrows one after the other hit Gurgen but didn’t do much, the tick fur acting like armor just like before. As the two groups reached each other, Gurgen started to just swing away. His weapon of choice seemed to be very effective, hitting the skeletons hard each time. Due to the size of the stick, they couldn’t jump back and the few ones having a shield couldn’t withstand the force of which the stick was swung with.

Three skeletons already bit the dust before they realized that maybe a head on attack was so smart, stopping their attack and trying to see with who or what they’re dealing with. One skeleton would run around him to try and attack him from behind, only to be stopped by Lucas, swinging the broom at his head and decapitating him.

“Am The Armenian Beast, come to kill all!” It was quite intimidating seeing Gurgen swing around the stick like that, a big man standing at two and a half meters. He lifted the stick up in the air, about to replace someones head with his stick when he yelled in pain, dropping the stick behind him, almost crushing Lucas. An arrow had managed to pierce his coat, now sticking into his arm.

The yelling in pain caused something else to happen. Idi jumped out of the beard, looking around at the attacking skeletons. As she started to cluck loudly, she jumped on to of one’s head, starting to peck hard at his skull. It was completely unexpected and out of nowhere, causing everyone except Gurgen and the one being attacked to be stunned.

Using this opportunity, Gurgen grabbed a skeleton with his bare hands, ripping off arms and legs as he screamed in pain before dying. The four remaining in front of him together with fifth with the bubble seemed to be getting nervous with how easy they were being taken care off, the one with the chicken on his head still yelling, running around asking for someone to get it off. One of his friends that was furthest away from Gurgen came forwards, swinging his sword down at his skull to kill the chicken. Unfortunately for him she saw it coming, jumping off and letting him hit his friend, killing him instantly.

The rest of the skeletons didn’t seem so eager to continue the fight, turning and starting to run. The chicken running after them, barking loudly as it seemed to be very threatening for some reason. The one that had been standing next to the bubble wouldn’t be alive anymore as it appeared to be, the bubble having been taken down and killed by the centaur having shot an arrow at him while he was distracted.

With everyone being gone now, they were very casually walking towards the group on the ground. Seeing Lilly, Lucas would rub his throat again, not being too comfortable being around her.

“So… miss choke isn’t here I see? Who are the new people? Gotten me replaced so fast hmm?” He would give her a toothy grin as he tried to be casual about it.

Lilly didn’t really pay much attention to him, looking at Gurgen who she had shot. She would hesitate, watching as he took the arrows out of his arm and coat. Seeing that they barely bothered him, she would seem a bit concerned with how Lucas knew him and with that she was in no way able to protect herself if he were to attack her.

Gurgen saw her looking at him and he would drop the arrows. “You choke friend. You shoot Gurgen. Gurgen angry.”

Lucas didn’t want this to go bad so he got in between them. “Okay then… Gurgen, this is Lilly, Lilly this is Gurgen. Gurgen, it was her sister that choked me and I don’t know who shot at you but… easy…”

As they talked, the chicken came back out of the bushes, holding a bone in her beak which she dropped in front of Gurgen before jumping back in his beard, letting out a loud bark. Gurgen reached inside his beard, petting his chicken as he smiled. “Idi good girl.”

Zoala was rather interested in the chicken, standing up as she still had the arrow in her shoulder and she wasn’t going to pull it out. “Why does she bark? That doesn’t make sense.”

Before she could get her answer, a new person came out of the forest, walking straight to them. Medi still able to shoot would grab his bow, aiming at the newcomer. He didn’t seem to impressed though, holding up his hands to show that he wasn’t a threat. As he came closer, it was shown to be an elf with blond hair, seemingly unarmed.

Lucas who should’ve recognized him stayed quiet, looking in the distance where the trees and bushes blocked his view, right where the skeletons had disappeared. He wasn’t looking for them though but it was the first time he could take a proper look at the burned man that still only he could see.

As the elf got closer now, he would look at Medi who was still holding the bow. “Easy there Medi. My name is Lehtern, royal druid although not royal blood. I’m a servant of the king and therefor a servant of your leader.”

Medi nodded slowly, never having seen this man before but he had heard about him before. “How come it that everyone just appears here? Is there like some kind of magical horse telling people that there’s a party here?”

Lehtern looked down at him, shaking his head slowly as he then gestured at the area. “First of all, main road to the Forest Gruge kings hideout. Secondly, with all the yelling and screaming that happens here, it’s not that special.”

He would look at Lucas who was still focusing on the man. “Hey Lucas, everything alright?”

Lucas didn’t even look at him, nodding slowly as his eyes went over the burned flesh. The empty eyeholes focused on him as the clothes were melted into his skin.

“Anyway…” He was a bit confused about his behavior but quickly focused back on the three hurt people here. “Gurgen, could you maybe deal with them? We don’t want them to die do we?” After having said that, he would walk to Lucas, leaving the group of get acquainted with each other. “Lucas?”

As he came closer and talked to him, he would look up, a bit shocked at seeing Lehtern here. “Oh hey! Lehtern!” He came closer, hugging him. “Oh nice to see you… I was looking for you and Gurgen. I… things are bad.”

Lehtern nodded slowly as he looked back at the hurt people and then the dead skeletons. “Yeah… bad seems to be an understatement. What are you doing here though? Why do you need me?”

“Hmm? Oh… euh… I was helping Lilly and Emma get back to their gruge…” This is where it hit him. He looked over at where Emma and Lilly should’ve been, only seeing Lilly. “Lilly… where’s Emma?”

Emma looked up at him, forgetting for a second that Lucas hadn’t been there when Emma fled. “Jackson fled with her to get help and stop the negotiations.”

“Jackson? Who is Jackson?”

This is where Medi looked up, hearing them talk about his Jackson. “Jackson is my friend. He took her sister to safety after we got attacked. I’m Medi by the way, good job keeping the princesses alive until now.”

Lucas would feel weird being complimented. He wasn’t sure what it was but he gave him a warm smile. “Thanks… wasn’t easy.”

“Hah, I bet it wasn’t.” He tried to stand again but as he put on hoof underneath himself, he would notice his other legs not really working. “Hah… maybe later.” He lie back down, groaning at the pain.

Zoi noticed that Gurgen hadn’t really done anything. He would turn to him to ask why he didn’t help them but that was when Lehtern stopped him.

“Lucas can we…”

Zoala stopped them from talking, holding her shoulder as she started to inspect Lehtern. “Hey… wait a second. Weren’t you that elf that was investigating the bunny’s?”

“Yes… that’s me. I found out…”

Now it was Lucas his turn. “Wait you people knew about the bunny’s?”

Lehtern grabbed both their shoulders to shut them up, making sure to not grab the wounded once from Zoala. “Yes we know about the bunny’s. The bunny’s are an after effect of the Artifact Gurge being destroyed. Before anyone asks, the Artifact Gruge was attacked a while ago in secret. They have been the ones keeping the bunny’s at bay with their artifacts. There’s a lot to explain. Now Lucas, before you ask, the Artifact Gruge is a Gruge where there are creatures that are half human and half metal. Now the artifacters had made some powerful items keeping the bunnies back. Listen I’ll explain later. Now we need...”

He stopped talking, turning his head to look at where Jackson and Emma had gone, hearing many hooves coming from there. “What now…” He let go of them as he took a dagger out of his belt underneath his clothes, ready to fight more skeletons if needed.